When you have less income – spend less

In comments from St. Johns County Administrator Michael D. Wanchick that were received by Historic City News last week, it appears that staff sees the writing on the wall; another $12 million of lost revenue in property taxes next year.

In addition to reduced property tax revenue, Wanchick points to five unfunded mandates which must be met, including an emergency radio system, storm-water discharge, a fire rescue master plan, transportation infrastructure, and County jail capacity.

St. Johns County did not create the economic conditions that have depressed property values continuously since 2007, however, it appears that they still are refusing to talk about the 500 pound gorilla in the room — you simply can’t spend money that you don’t have.

Staff is telling the Board of County Commissioners and public that they have “cut til’ they can’t cut any more” without impacting our quality of life.  The problem in many people’s mind is this — what the Administrator proposes to cut and what staff assumes must stay in the budget may not be the same as what the taxpayers see as important.

Wanchick says we must “find the proper way” to address those revenue losses.  His suggestion is implementing a local option sales tax, bringing St. Johns County to 7 percent.  By way of justification, Wanchick points out that most other counties in our region and throughout Florida collect an extra penny.

In his newsletter, Wanchick thanks “everyone for being willing to work together in the best interest of the entire community”.  I wonder if by “everyone” he means county employees, including him, or, just taxpayers?

County spokesperson Karen Pan told Historic City News that county personnel are budgeted in terms of “full-time equivalents” which are managed, as to full and part-time, by the administrators.

In this year’s budget, St. Johns County has allowed for the following employee head count:

Board of County Commissioners – 1,233 full-time equivalents
Sheriff’s Office – 577 full-time equivalents
Tax Collector – 66 full-time equivalents
Property Appraiser – 52 full-time equivalents
Clerk of Court – 21 full-time equivalents for County-funded positions
Supervisor of Elections – 12 full-time equivalents

Because of the shared functions of the Clerk of Court, Cheryl Strickland’s office does employ others who are funded by the State.

Pan emphasized that these are “budgeted positions” which doesn’t necessarily mean that they are all filled; the actual head count could change frequently depending on the day or the week during the year.

The St. Johns County Commission has to decide if raising taxes is the way to cope with declining property values or if “the entire community”, including administrative overhead, can be reduced.

“Without a new revenue source, these mandates will drain revenues from existing programs and services such as parks and libraries,” Wanchick wrote.  Nowhere does he write reduce personnel or administrative overhead.  New taxes are wrong; whether sales tax, ad valorem tax, income tax, or government fees.

Wanchick wrote recently, “While difficult challenges lie ahead, I remain confident St. Johns County’s best days lie ahead.”  I say, let’s hope so, but take responsibility for spending only that money that is available and you will reduce one of the most pressing challenges facing us today.

ST JOHNS COUNTY PAYROLL FOR PERSONNEL EARNING AS MUCH OR MORE THAN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

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